The quest to find the perfect diamond is the goal of many buyers, whether they are looking for an engagement ring, wedding ring, loose diamonds, or other piece of fine diamond jewelry.  In some ways the term “perfect” is subjective – if she is satisfied with the 18k white gold, pave set, heart-shaped diamond studded engagement ring you have chosen for her, then to her “perfect” is the visible display of love you are offering – nothing else matters!

However, perhaps there is a particular diamond that you’d prefer he buy for you, something he may not know and could use your help selecting. He is rightfully concerned that a particular diamond on display may not look quite right when worn on your hand, but he isn’t certain which one will look the best. Maybe he understands that the diamond ring he chooses should complement your existing jewelry or that you prefer something less traditional, a different metal color, or have some other preference he isn’t aware of.

Some couples like to flip through a jewelry catalog, navigate their way around a professional jeweler’s website, or head to the mall to try on and examine a variety of pieces. This can be an excellent way to show him what you like while allowing him to make the purchase himself and “surprise” you later on. If he needs additional help, you can share with him a concise overview of what to look for in a diamond, whether for a ring or a loose diamond.

The following overview highlights the attributes found in every diamond:

Four C’s Of Diamond Selection

The four attributes of any diamond are its color, clarity, ideal cut, and carat (weight).

Color – Concerning diamonds, the less visible the color, the better. Diamonds are categorized  according to range, with five ranges consisting of colorless, near colorless, faint yellow, very light yellow, and light yellow. Each range is assigned several letter grades with D-F being colorless, G-J near colorless, and so on. Traditionalists will likely choose a colorless diamond while most shoppers are very happy with near colorless diamonds as they appear colorless when held face up. Near colorless diamonds are particularly prized for their excellent value.

Clarity – The number of blemishes, particularly the location and amount of flaws, will determine a diamond’s clarity. It takes special magnification to see flaws when they are present. A flawless diamond is a rarity, containing absolutely no inclusions and different grades are assigned to diamonds with various levels of inclusions. Those diamonds with inclusions visible to the naked eye are considered imperfect and are of low value, not something to consider giving as a gift.

Cut – While the shape of a diamond is important, the distribution of mass determines just how well the stone handles light. An ideal cut diamond will reflect light back through the top facets of the rock. A poorly cut loose diamond – too shallow or too deep – means that light will escape through the bottom of the stone, hampering the diamond’s brilliance. Go with an ideal cut diamond and you’ll have chosen an appealing diamond.
 
Carat – When you think of carat, you are concerning yourself with the diamond’s weight. Carat weight determines price with larger carat stones costing more. Though two diamonds may weigh the same, color, clarity, and cut can influence their value greatly.

Truly, the “perfect” diamond is one that has a good balance of attributes, but is also something that is selected from the heart and presented by the man to the woman he loves as a tangible expression of his love and commitment to her. Beyond doubt, there isn’t anything more perfect then that!